Elections Division
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Disabilities Rights |
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Federal & State LawsDisabilities Rights Information:
Federal and State Laws of Special Importance to Disabled and Elderly Voters
• Voting Rights Act of 1965(www.usdoj.gov/crt/voting/overview.htm#vra) – Any voter requiring assistance may receive it from a person of the voter’s choice, other than the voter’s employer or agent of that employer or officer or agent of the voter’s union.
• Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act, 1984 (www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/cguide.htm) – Promotes the fundamental right to vote by requiring "access for elderly and disabled individuals to registration facilities and polling places in federal elections."
• Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) (www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm) – Requires public entities to provide program access, reasonable modification of policy, and auxiliary aids and services where necessary to afford an individual with a disability an equal opportunity to participate in and enjoy the benefits of service, program or activity conducted by a public entity.
• Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA) (www.fec.gov/hava/hava.htm) – New federal legislation enabling greater opportunity for access and participation in the election process, including provisions regarding accessible voting technologies in polling places by 2006.
• Texas
Election Code, Section 43.034 (www.capitol.state.tx.us/statutes/docs/EL/content/htm/el.004.00.000043.00.htm#43.034.00)
– Accessibility of Polling Place to the Elderly and Persons with Physical
Disabilities – This section of the election code sets forth specific
requirements for buildings to be used as polling locations to ensure that
they meet certain accessibility standards.
Last Modified:
Friday, October 30, 2009 2:30 PM
